December 30, 2010 – “Two blizzards are pounding the U.S. at the same time. This is an extremely rare event. A pair of snowstorms will deliver a one-two punch to the northern Plains as 2010 comes to a close. The second system will prove to be the worst with an all-out blizzard unfolding. The corridor from northeastern South Dakota to northwestern Minnesota will bear the brunt of the back-to-back snowstorms. The two storms will combine to drop over a foot of snow across this zone. Accurate snowfall measurements will be difficult as gusty winds blow and drift the snow around. The first snowstorm will arrive today, causing conditions to deteriorate from eastern South Dakota to northern Minnesota.” –Accuweather

State of Emergency– “Severe winds and heavy snowfall blanketed central and eastern North Dakota and South Dakota on Thursday, shutting down buildings, roads and highways just before New Year’s. A crash involving at least a 100 vehicles shut down a major freeway for hours. North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple declared a statewide storm emergency Thursday, as the state Department of Transportation closed Interstate 94 in both directions between Jamestown and Fargo after the accident. Interstate 29 was closed from Brookings, S.D. to Grand Forks, N.D. With another blizzard expected Friday, groups and offices scrambled to close early and cancel or postpone events scheduled for the final days of the year. State and county officials in both states implored drivers to stay off the roads, which were covered by ice and obscured by gusts of snow blowing up to 45 mph. Temperatures hovered around zero with the wind chill measured at 20 below zero or colder. The National Weather Service’s Grand Forks office predicted 5 inches to 9 inches of snow throughout the area Thursday, with more on the way Friday.” –Plains Daily